An ADU designed by Lanefab Design/Build, a Vancouver, Canada-based firm that specializes in designing these smaller homes.  | Courtesy Lanefab

A package of legislation passed in California may accelerate the creation of new housing in single-family neighborhoods California?s housing and affordability crisis isn?t going away any time soon. But a slate of new state laws have empowered homeowners to use a small but significant tool that advocates say will create an increase in new units and new opportunities.
Accessory dwelling units, or ADUs?small structures, typically under 1,000 square feet, that are built by homeowners on their properties?became a centerpiece of state housing legislation this week after five bills were signed into law expanding the ability for Californians to build such structures in their backyards. By allowing residents to both build a small apartment and convert their garage, the legislative package, in effect, allows triplexes in much of the state. ?People will be able to have an ADU and a junior ADU on single family lots, or they can convert two garages on a duplex lot,? says Ira Belgrade, an advocate and consultant for ADU construction in Los Angeles and runs the site YimbyLA. ?That?s big for LA!?
State Sen. Bob Wieckowski, a Democrat from the Bay Area and longtime ADU advocate who?s successfully backed three ADU bills in four years, says there?s recently been a surge in production in cities such as San Diego, San Jose and Los Angeles. A...